Wendt
motorbike

ABSTRACT

A MOTORBIKE, OPERABLE WITH EITHER DIRECT CHAIN DRIVE OR JACKSHIFT CHAIN DRIVE, INCLUDES A ONE-PIECE ENGINE MOUNT FIXED ON THE BIKE FRAME AND INCLINED FROM HORIZONTAL ABOUT TWENTY DEGREES TO THEREBY TILT THE ENGINE FORWARDLY, PERMITTING A LOW, COMPACT BIKE FRAME DESIGN AND USE OF A CONVENTIONAL INDUSTRIAL ENGINE. THE MOUNT IS SLOTTED FOR ADJUSTING THE ENGINE THEREON TO OBTAIN CHAIN ADJUSTMENT. THE MOUNT IS BORED TO PROVIDE BEARING SUPPORT FOR THE JACKSHAFT. AN OPENING IN THE MOUNT PASSES A CHAIN THERETHROUGH. THE MOUNT HAS SLOTS AND HOLES THEREIN FOR CONNECTING A SWING ARM H-FRAME THERETO, THE SLOTS PROVIDING A SECOND CHAIN ADJUSTMENT WITH A JACKSHAFT DRIVE. THE H-FRAME IS REVERSIBLE FOR USE WITH EITHER DIRECT DRIVE OR JACKSHAFT DRIVE. REAR SHOCK ABSORBERS CONNECT THE UPPER PORTION OF THE BIKE FRAME TO THE REAR WHEEL AXLE.

OC. 16, D Wy WENDT RC. M'I'RU l KH Oginl Filed NOV. l2, 1968 Shouts-ShuiLas; ).1" A "v l 12'/ Y Oct. 16, 1973 D, W. WENDT Re. 27,788

MOTORBTKLI @riginal Filed Wav. l2, 1968 3 Sheets-Sheet @Ilm D. W. WENDTOct. 16, 1973 MOTORBIKE 3 Sheets-Sheet Original Filed Nov. l2, 1968United States Patent O 27,788 MOTORBIKE David W. Wendt, Janesville, Wis.53545 Original No. 3,517,764, dated June 30, 1970, Ser. No.

774,857, Nov. 12, 1968. Application for reissue June 1, 1972, Ser. No.258,828

Int. Cl. B02d 61/02 U.S. Cl. 180-33 R 13 Claims Matter enclosed in heavybrackets I] appears in the original patent but forms no part of thisreissue specification; matter printed in italics indicates the additionsmade by reissue.

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A motorbike, operable with either directchain drive or jackshaft chain drive, includes a one-piece engine mountfixed on the bike frame and inclined from horizontal about twentydegrees to thereby tilt the engine forwardly, permitting a low, compactbike frame design and use of a conventional industrial engine. The mountis slotted for adjusting the engine thereon to obtain chain adjustment.The mount is bored to provide bearing support for the jackshaft. Anopening in the mount passes a chain therethrough. The mount has slotsand holes therein for connecting a swing arm H-frarne thereto, the slotsproviding a second chain adjustment with a jackshaft drive. The H-frameis reversible for use with either direct drive or jackshaft drive. Rearshock absorbers connect the upper portion of the bike frame to the rearwheel axle.

This invention relates to a motorbike adapted to be driven by chain andsprocket means selectively through either; a direct chain drive from theengine sprocket to a driving wheel sprocket on one side of the drivingwheel; or a jaokshaft drive including an engine-to-jackshaft chain fromthe engine sprocket to a first of jackshaft sprocket on one end of thejackshaft and a jackshaft-todriving wheel chain from a second jackshaftsprocket on the other end of the jackshaft to a driving wheel sprocketon the other side of the driving wheel. More particularly, thisinvention relates to an engine mount arrangement for such a motorbikewhich is very simple, highly effective and significantly advantageous.

This invention provides a motorbike and engine mount with the engine ofthe bike tilted forwardly to obtain a low compact overall bike frameconstruction, and does so utilizing a conventional industrial typeengine such as those used for lawn mowers, garden tractors, snowblowers, and motor-generator sets.

The invention also permits use of a longer swing arm H-frame than isconventional, and thus provides a smoother ride, because of the longerradius of the arc of movement of the driving wheel axle.

The invention further provides motorbike chain adjustment, not at therear wheel location as is conventional, but rather at the engine mountat the forward end of the H-frame, which is highly advantageous whencaliper spot disc brakes are used, because the chain can be adjusted orreadjusted without changing the brake adjustment.

The invention provides an engine mount mounting platform with a chainopening therethrough, and the chain from the engine runs through thatopening. The platform acts as a guard providing safety throughprotection from that part of the chain which is in close proximity tothe operators foot.

The invention provides support at the engine mount for the forward endof the swing arm H-frame in either of the two drive arrangements,jackshaft or direct, and the same swing arm H-frame can be used ineither arrangement by merely flipping it side-for-side when Re. 27,788Reissued Oct. 16, 19-73 changing from one drive arrangement to the otherto thereby reverse the entire assembly of driving wheel, drive wheelsprocket, swing arm H-frame and associated parts.

The invention provides a one-piece engine mount which serves as thesupport for: the forward end of the swing arm H-frame; the engine; andthe jackshaft. This is an improvement over the conventional constructionutilizing three parts to provide that support; the simplified enginemount of this invention being less costly to manufacture than the priorconstructions.

The invention provides improved alignment of the drive components duringassembly operations in the factory because more of the associated drivecomponents are mounted to one piece, the engine mount, as compared toprior constructions, through providing holes, slots and other mountingopenings in a one-piece structure for assuring consistent and economicassembly.

The invention provides for mounting rear spring shock absorbers directlyon to the rear axle. This reduces the number of parts required andlowers the cost, as compared to the prior constructions in whichseparate parts, such as plates, are used to connect the rear shockabsorber or the rear shock absorber and axle to the swing arm H-frame.

The invention provides a new and desirable appearance for a motorbike aswell as new and desirable functional features.

The invention and the objects, advantages, and results thereof can befurther appreciated by reference to the following detailed descriptionof a preferred embodiment thereof taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a motorbike embodying theinvention, the bike being connected in jackshaft drive arrangement;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a portion of said motorbike;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of a portion of said motorbike, the bikebeing connected in direct drive arrangement;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the engine mount of the bike;

FIG. 5 is an end elevation view of said mount;

FIG. 6 is a side elevation view of said mount;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of said mount;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the frame assembly of the bike; and

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a portion of the bike, the bike beingconnected in jackshaft drive arrangement.

Referring now to the drawings, there is shown a motorbike having adriving wheel 1 driven by an internal combustion engine 2 of theconventio-nal industrial type through cain-and-sprocket means describedhereinafter. A steering wheel 3 is mounted to a front fork 4 whichpasses through a front fork bearing 73 on a bike frame 7 and ends inhandlebar handles 5. A seat 6 is connected to the bike frame 7, as is afuel tank 8, a headlight 9, and a taillight 10. An exhaust tailpipe 11is connected to the engine to carry the exhaust therefrom to the rear ofthe motorbike as shown.

The bike frame 7, as best shown in FIG. 8, includes left and rightunderpieces 71, 72 of generally U-shape extending rearwardly from frontfork bearing 73 downwardly, then horizontally along the central portion,and then upwardly to the upper part of the frame near the rear thereof,connecting with spaced-apart upper pieces 75, 76 near the rear bracemember 78 mounted across pieces 75, 76 and near the perforated plates79. Connecting the pieces 75, 76 to the front fork bearing 73 is ahorizontal bar 74. To the rear of bar 74 another brace 77 is mountedacross pieces 75, 76.

The engine 2 is mounted midway between the sides of the bike frame on anengine mount 16 having a mounting platform 161 inclined from horizontalas shown so as to hold the engine in the tilted position shown. Theplatform 161 is inclined at about twenty degrees from horizontal, andthe bottom base of the engine 2 is mounted thereagainst so that theengine is tilted forwardly about twenty degrees from the position itwould have in a conventional mounting arrangement. This inclined mountfeature thus positions the top of the engine lower than it would beconventionally and thereby enables the upper part of the frame to belower than it would be conventionally, which results in a lower overallbike frame construction and silhouette.

The engine 2 is connected drivingly to the driving wheel 1 through achain-and-sprocket drive arrangement which selectively may be either ajackshaft drive arrangement or a direct drive arrangement.

The jackshaft drive arrangement, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 9,includes a jackshaft 17 journaled in mount 16 and extending horizontallyacross the bike, a rear chain 12 connecting a drive wheel sprocket 23 onthe right side of the drive wheel 1 to a jackshaft sprocket 21 on theright side of a jackshaft 17, and a front chain 13 connecting ajackshaft sprocket 2l] on the left side of the jackshaft to an enginesprocket 19 on the left side of engine 2.

The direct drive arrangement, shown in FIG. 3, which may alternativelybe used, includes a chain 18 directly connecting the engine sprocket 19to a drive wheel sprocket 22 on the lefl side of drive wheel 1.

A pair of rear spring shock absorbers are connected between the drivingwheel axle and the upper rear part of the bike frame, being connected tothe latter at the perforated plates 79 as best understood from FIGS. land 8.

A swing arm H-frame 14 is connected between the driving wheel axle andthe engine mount 16 on the bike frame, as best understood from FIGS. 1,2, 3 and 9. with FIGS. l, 2 and 9 showing it as used in the jackshaftdrive arrangement with FIG. 3 showing it as used in the direct drivearrangement. This swing arm H-frame 14 is reversible sideforside, usedone way for the jackshaft drive and flipped over to and used in thereverse way for the direct drive. Also, the front ends of this H-frameconnect to mount 16 at a different location for each of the twodifferent drive arrangements, jackshaft and direct as is shown in thedrawings and described in detail hereinafter. The purpose of the swingarm H-frame is to provide a shock absorbing rear suspension assembly.The front of the H-frame is pivotably mounted in the engine mount,swinging thereabout to accommodate changes in the roadway as the drivingwheel engages the roadway, permitting vertical arcuate movement of thedriving wheel against the cushioning resistance provided by the shockabsorbers.

The engine mount 16 is connected, preferably by welding, to the bikeframe in the bight of the U-shape formed by the under pieces 71, 72 ofthe frame, and the mount is positioned with the top piece or platform161 thereof inclined with its forward end lower than its rearward end.

Extending generally horizontally rearwardly from the rear of platform161 is a rear skirt 169, and extending generally vertically downwardlyand slightly forwardly from the front of platform 161 is a front skirt168, the purpose of these skirts is to provide strength for the enginemount structure.

A pair of vertical side walls 162 depend from the side edges of platform161, the side walls 162 being generally triangular in shape whichconveniently permits connecting the mount to the frame as shown.

The platform 161 has therein four mounting openings or slots 163, eachextending in the forward-rearward direction, for mounting engine 2 onplatform 161 midway 4 between the sides thereof for adjusting theposition of the engine thereon forwardly and rearwardly.

'Ihe platform 161 has a chain opening 165 therein, of generallyrectangular shape, located near one side thereof and intermediate theforward and rearward ends thereof. The opening threadingly receives thelower segment of chain 18 therethrough when the bike utilizes the directchain drive, as indicated in FIG. 3 where the direct chain drivearrangement is shown. The opening 165 receives therethrough both theupper and lower segments of chain 13 when the bike utilizes thejackshaft drive arrangement, as indicated in FIGS. l and 9 where thejackshaft drive arrangement is shown.

The side walls 162 each have therein a circular opening 164, theopenings 164 being in alignment horizontally across the mount andproviding a bearing support journal for the jackshaft 17 when thejackshaft drive arrangement is utilized.

The side walls 162 each have therein a slot or opening 167 locatedrearwardly of opening 164 and extending in the forward-rearwarddirection, the slots 167 being in alignment horizontally across themount and providing for forward-rearward adjustment mounting of thefront ends of the swing arm H-frame 14 to the engine mount when themotorbike utilizes the jackshaft drive arrangement. FIGS. 1 and 2 showthe H-frame so mounted.

The side walls 162 each have a hole 166 therein disposed rearwardly andabove slot 167, the holes 166 being in horizontal alignment across themount 16 and providing for mounting the front ends of the swing arm H#frame 14 when the `bike utilizes the direct chain drive arrangement, asshown in FIG. 3.

Adjustability of drive components is provided in several ways in theone-piece engine mount 16. Slots 163 in platform 161 provideadjustability in positioning the engine thereon for proper alignment andfor chain adjustment. When the direct drive is used, as illustrated inFIG. 3 it will be understood that such alignment and the chainadjustment for chain 18 is provided by slots 163 in platform 161. Whenthe jackshaft drive is used, then the adjustment for front chain 13 isprovided by slots 163 in platform 161, but the adjustment for rear chain12 is provided by the slots 167 in the side walls 162 by adjustablypositioning the swing arm H-frame 14 in the slots 167, as can beappreciated from FIGS. 1, 2 and 9,`

to adjust for rear chain 12.

As can be understood from FIGS. 1, 2 and 9, with the jackshaft drivearrangement, the chain opening 165 in platform 161 of engine mount 16receives both the upper and lower segments of chain 13, and thejack-shaft sprockets 20, 21 are positioned under platform 161 andbetween the side walls 162, and all of chain 12 is under platform 161and the rear fender of the bike.

When the direct drive arrangement is used, the lower segment of thechain 18 threads through opening 165 in platform 161, as indicated inFIG. 3.

While the invention has been described in connection with a particularembodiment thereof, it will be understood that many changes andmodifications may be made by those skilled in the art without departingfrom the invention. Accordingly, by the appended claims, it is intendedto cover not only this particular embodiment but also all such changesand modifications as come within the true spirit and scope of theinvention.

I claim:

1. A motorbike comprising: a bike frame; an engine; a driving wheelconnectable to said engine through chainand-sprocket means; an enginemount connected to said frame; said mount comprising a platform and Vapair of side walls, one depending from each Side edge of said platform;said mount having a chain opening along one side of said platform forpassing a chain therethrough, a slot on said platform forrearward-forward adjustment of said engine thereon and a pair ofjackshaft openings in said side walls providing a journal for ajackshaft, and said mount supporting said engine in a position tiltedforwardly from vertical.

2. The invention of claim 1 wherein said mount has additional slots insaid side walls and rearwardly of said jackshaft openings forforward-rearward adjustment of a swing arm H-frame extending to saidmount from the axle of the driving wheel when said chain-and-sprocketmeans is a jackshaft arrangement.

3. The invention of claim 2 wherein said mount has holes in said sidewalls and above said additional slots for connecting said H-framethereto when said chain-andsprocket means is a direct drive arrangement.

4. The invention of claim 3 wherein said mount is a one-piece structure.

5. An engine mount for mounting an engine on a motorbike having adriving wheel connectable to the engine through chain-and-sprocket meansand adapted to be driven thereby either in a direct drive, anarrangement including a direct chain from the engine sprocket to adriving wheel sprocket, or in a jackshaft arrangement drive including anengine-to-jackshaft chain from the engine sprocket to a rst jackshaftsprocket and a jackshaftto-driving wheel chain from a second jackshaftsprocket to a driving wheel sprocket, said mount comprising: a platforminclined with its front end lower than its rear end and having at leastone engine mounting slot therein for mounting the engine thereonadjustably in forwardrearward direction; a pair of side walls, onedepending from each side edge of said platform; each of said side wallshaving a circular opening therein in alignment horizontally across theamount for journaling a jackshaft when said jackshaft arrangement isused; each of said side walls having a slot therein in alignmenthorizontally across said mount for adjustably connecting the front endsof a swing arm H-frame to the mount when said jackshaft arrangement isused; each of said side walls having a hole therein in alignmenthorizontally across the mount for connecting the front ends of saidH-frame to the mount when said direct drive arrangement is used.

6. The invention of claim 5 wherein the mount is a one piece structure.

7. The invention of claim 5 wherein said platform has a chain openingtherein near one side thereof for threadingly receiving the lowersegment of the direct chain when said direct drive arrangement is usedand for receiving both the upper and lower segments of theengine-tojackshaft chain when said jaekshaft drive arrangement is used.

8. The invention of claim 7 wherein there are a plurality of enginemounting slots in said platform.

9. A motorbike having the engine mount defined in claim 8 wherein saidmount is connected to the bike frame with said platform inclined fromthe horizontal with its front end lower than its rear end.

10. The invention of claim 9 wherein the inclination from horizontal isabout twenty degrees, and wherein said mount is a one piece structure.

11. A motorbike comprising: a bike frame; an engine; a driving wheelconnectable to said engine through chainand-sprocket means; an enginemount connected to said frame.' said mount comprising a platformy and apair of side walls, one depending from each side edge of said platform;said mount having a chain opening along one side of said platform forpassing a chain therethrough, an opening on said platform for mountingsaid engine thereon and a pair of iackshaft openings in said side wallsproviding a journal for a jackshaft, and said mount supporting saidengine in a position tilted forwardly from vertical.

12. An engine mount for mounting an engine on a motorbike having adriving wheel connectable to the engine through chain-and-sprocket meansand adapted to be driven thereby either in a direct drive, anarrangement including a direct chain from the engine sprocket to adriving wheel sprocket, or in a jackshaft arrangement drive including anengine-to-iackshaft chain from the engine sprocket to a first iackshaftsprocket and a jackshaft-todriving wheel chain from a second jackshaftsprocket to a driving wheel sprocket, said mount comprising: a platforminclined with its front end lower than its rear end and having at leastone engine mounting opening therein for mounting the engine thereon; apair of side walls, one depending from each side edge of said platform;each of said side walls having a circular opening therein in alignmenthorizontally across the mount for journaling a iaekshaft when saidjackshaft arrangement is used; each of said side walls having an openingtherein in alignment horizontally across said mount for connecting thefront ends of a swing arm H -frame to the mount when said jackshaftarrangement is used; each of said side walls having a hole therein inalignment horizontally across the mount for connecting the front ends ofsaid H-frame to the mount when said direct drive arrangement is used.

13. The invention of claim 12 wherein there are a plurality of enginemounting openings in said platform.

References Cited The following references, cited by the Examiner, are ofrecord in the patented tile of this patent or the original patent.

UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,263,081 11/ 1941 Fulton 180-11 2,488,613 11/1949 Woolsey et al 180-33 R LEO FRIAGLIA, Primary Examiner R. R. SONG,Assistant Examiner

